Awards James F. Wright, president and CEO of Tire Kingdom Inc., has received the annual Automotive Management Education Award, sponsored by Northwood University of Midland, Mich.
The award honors industry leaders for "their contributions to the educational process in the field of automotive aftermarket."
Mr. Wright and 10 others received the awards on Nov. 2 during Automotive Industry Aftermarket Week in Las Vegas.
Mr. Wright was honored for extensive service with the Automotive Parts and Accessory Association (APAA), including two years as chairman.
During his chairmanship, APAA established the Global Aftermarket Symposium, which has funded 180 scholarships for children of aftermarket employees or others.
Tire Kingdom, based in Riviera Beach, Fla., is the sixth largest independent tire dealership in North America based on Tire Business' annual retail rankings.
Marketing idea
Heafner-Itco Tires and Products, a division of Heafner Tire Group Inc., has upgraded its fleet of delivery trucks to serve as "traveling billboards" promoting the company and its products.
The new trucks are painted with the Heafner-Itco logo or that of one of the company's tire lines, such as Regul or Winston.
Tom Dawson, Heafner-Itco vice president of sales and marketing, said the trucks also may be made available to dealers to attract attention for promotional events.
Expansions
Somerset Tire Service Inc. of Bound Brook, N.J., opened an STS Tire and Auto Center outlet in Hackensack, N.J., on Nov. 1. The new store is the eighth STS location opened this year.
The company ranks as the 12th largest independent dealership in North America based on Tire Business' annual rankings of company-owned stores.
Town Fair Tire Centers Inc. opened its 50th location in Shrewsbury, Mass., Sept. 13.
Town Fair also had planned to open another location in Nashua, N.H., a company spokesman said, but that opening will be delayed until spring.
Town Fair plans to open six to eight new locations in 2000 including the Nashua store, he said, but the locations weren't specified.